Fasteners are a key component of most building projects. Using the right fastener size and type is very important. When the wrong fastener is used, both the fastener and the panel can fail. Proper fastener selection will help ensure the panel system will last for years.

There are many factors to consider when selecting a fastener including length, color, panel thickness, the type of structure, and the environmental conditions – especially in corrosive or high-moisture environments. Every application is different.

AmeriLux is proud to offer an assorted variety of durable fasteners to complement its multiwall and corrugated polycarbonate sheet products and PVC sheet and liner panels. Call 888-602-4441 or visit our website for more product information.

The multiwall crew has been working in the new building for about four weeks. Even with a learning curve, they haven’t missed a beat. The team had this to say about the transition:

“Things have been going very well,” said Jeff Rukamp. “It’s a lot more organized with the new racking system. There’s more room for material here. And, the sheets are right in front of us instead of having to move the cutting table all around the building.”

Jeff, who’s been with AmeriLux for a little over a year, went on to say, “It took us awhile to figure out how long it would take to cut an order using the Hubtex to get a skid down, but I feel we have a good rhythm now. We know what we have to do and how we go from one end of the building to the other with it.”

Jake, Jeff & Cody

“The Hubtex was a little intimidating at first, but it’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it,” Cody Potts says. “It’s a huge time saver. Efficiency has improved across the board.” Cody joined the A-Team in May and helps Jeff facilitate the multiwall orders. “Whatever I got to do,” he added, smiling, “I just go do it!”

The new material handler has eliminated a lot of the manual physical labor associated with moving polycarbonate sheets. “We’re no longer just relying on strong backs. Getting the job done with the Hubtex is a lot less strenuous,” said Jake Chamberlain, Area Leader and A-Team member since 2011. “The new building has been built to fit the material. A reversal to how we use to do things. We’re creating whole new processes and becoming even more efficient. It’s about adding value.”

Brice Henthorn is a Boy Scout in Troop 608 based out of Beloit, Wisconsin. For his Eagle project, he spent six weeks building a polycarbonate greenhouse for the Merrill Park Community Garden. A communal garden located in one of city’s neighborhood parks.

Because he had volunteered at the garden, Brice knew that a greenhouse would help reduce the garden’s dependency of seedlings from outside sources. An offhanded comment by a woman running the Community Garden confirmed there was a need for one so Brice decided to run with the idea.

“This will allow the garden to become more self-sufficient by being able to start the plants from seeds instead of buying plants that have been already started,” Brice explained. “This will also give them another teaching opportunity for the community. They will be able to teach community members how to plant from seeds.”

Basing his design on plans he found online, Brice built the 8’ x 6’7” greenhouse with help from volunteers and materials donated by local companies. The wood frame was covered with LEXAN™ VEROLITE™ 8mm clear twin wall polycarbonate panels. After doing his research, Brice chose polycarbonate as the covering because it was a much more durable glazing option. He wanted a product that would last.

Building the greenhouse was a big learning experience for Brice. He had not built anything like this before. “The installation process was very easy,” says Brice. “We followed the instructions that were on the panels. The U- and H-channels went on smoothly and cutting the panels was very easy with a new blade. I would say the installation process was very user-friendly.”

“He was in charge of the project and handled it well. To me it is a showcase of what can be done and will greatly help the neighborhood in their garden. To me a sense of pride.” – Lowell Fjalstad, Scoutmaster Troop 608

Looking to make your home greener? A lot of heat is lost through single-glazed windows. Secondary glazing with polycarbonate is a great option. Polycarbonate panels are highly effective for heat retention and noise insulation.

Secondary double glazing with polycarbonate is less expensive than glass and is a simple DIY project. Polycarbonate panels are light in weight, making them easy to handle and install with everyday tools. Impact and shatter resistant, polycarbonate is 10 times stronger than acrylic and 200 times stronger than glass.

Polycarbonate can easily be cut to the size or shape of your window and attached it to the window frame with self-adhesive magnetic/steel tape. Remember to check tape compatibility and cut panels slightly smaller than the size of your window panes to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.

Even though the holiday is tomorrow, AmeriLux enjoyed some Halloween fun today. Several A-Team members dressed up for the costume contest. Costumes included a whimsical scarecrow, a comical cow, the grim reaper, and a dancing Cat in the Hat. The winner – a creative yet disturbing pregnant zombie! A tasty potluck lunch was enjoyed by all.

Aerogel-filled polycarbonate panels eliminate glare and hot spots. Natural daylight is diffused evenly throughout the interior of a building, creating a softer, improved source of light while reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Craig Cutcher has been a member of the A-Team since 2011. He has watched AmeriLux continue to grow and evolve with new hires and partnerships, additional products and fabrication services, solutions-driven equipment investments, and forward-thinking facility expansions.

Over the past six years, Craig has also grown within the company. He started out with AmeriLux in the Distribution Center (DC), fulfilling orders for a key customer, overseeing the operation of the multiwall polycarbonate cutting table, and moving trailers with the spotter truck. He’s assisted in crating, shipping and receiving, and inventory management. He’s also played an important role in the implementation of new equipment and processes. Mostly recently, Craig has been heavily involved in the new building expansion. “I’ve been moving material stored in forty outside trailers – inside,” Craig said. “Now that the new building is complete, our original distribution center is being revamped. I’ve been relocating departments and setting them up to be more efficient.”

Craig continued with his thoughts on the new building: “The new racking system and lift is going to make inventory management and moving material easier and faster. It’s now going to take only one person to move material versus needing five. And, the time spent moving material is going to be considerably less – half an hour versus what use to take four hours. That’s a huge time savings!”

Fun Fact: Craig spends much of his free time riding his Harley-Davidson Fatboy.

The UL (University of Louisiana) Lafayette School of Architecture and Design completed their fifteenth Building Institute project this year. The MODESTEhouse is a tiny home, approximately 200-square-feet in size, built on an 8-foot by 20-foot flatbed trailer. A study in new modular construction techniques, this student design-build project put into question the notion and currently-trendy idea of ‘tiny houses’.

Over the last decade, tiny houses have become a fashionable micro-living movement for young minimalists and empty nesters. The MODESTEhouse project aimed instead at showcasing these small dwellings as a viable option for victims of natural disasters – either as a temporary shelter or a permanent residence.

The design concept for the MODESTEhouse required every building element to have more than one function, and sought to maximize storage space, optimize daylighting, and utilize innovative construction technologies. The shell comprises the wall, roof, and insulation while the north wall provides both light and storage.

The north gridwall of the MODESTEhouse is clad in 25mm Clear Triplewall Polycarbonate Panels filled with Lumira® aerogel. Multifunctional, the aerogel-filled polycarbonate panels fill the tiny home with beautiful, diffused light, providing privacy while reducing the need for artificial light. Because aerogel particles inhibit heat transfer, the inhabitants of this tiny home will benefit from energy cost savings as well as occupant comfort.

Looking for a full-time job, Julie Daul joined the AmeriLux A-Team as a Samples Assistant/Cleaning Associate on May 8th. Her positive attitude and great work ethic became evident immediately. Julie spends the first couple of hours of each day cleaning the offices, break room, and restrooms. And, since she gets in early, she usually makes the first pot of coffee in the morning!

After her cleaning duties, Julie spends the rest of her day fulfilling customer’s requests for product samples and literature. She also processes the aluminum install components, screws, and miscellaneous hardware portion of each work order.

“I like to have a variety of things to do and keep busy,” Julie commented. “Starting this job has been easy because everyone here at AmeriLux is very helpful and friendly.”

Fun Fact: Julie works part-time at the Green Bay Packers Pro Shop and enjoys spending time with her Bernese Mountain Dog named Uno.